Chapter 450: Decisive Battle Today

Princess Dengfeng did not deliberately project her mental pressure, yet merely by sitting quietly seven zhang away, she exuded an invisible sense of oppression. This, however, was clearly just a shadow.

She was the foremost expert below the Longevity Realm, the first in her rank.

"Earlier, thank you, Princess, for helping us out," Li Weiyi said. "Lu Cangsheng will forever remember this kindness." He dared not underestimate any top figure of the younger generation, his expression sincere and his response cautious.

A prodigy groomed to be the future leader of the East Sea, she had undergone rigorous training since childhood.

Princess Dengfeng might be momentarily deceived due to her unfamiliarity with the situation in Lingxiao Realm, but she would certainly discern clues from various details.

"Are you also from Due'er Monastery?"

Princess Dengfeng's eyes glowed with light as she watched Li Weiyi, her tone containing a hint of surprise.

After all, compared to Fu Wenyan, whose extraordinary pure immortal physique was evident at first glance, Li Weiyi was merely a mortal, with nothing particularly striking about him.

With countless sharp eyes on him, Li Weiyi responded calmly, "I trained there for two years, but I'm not an official disciple, so I can't compare to Senior Brother Xie."

"You're being modest! Among the demon race, you must never be modest."

Water Weasel Immortal, eager to save face, quickly stood up and reported to Princess Dengfeng, "Your Highness, you've lived in the deep sea for so long that you might not be aware of the human situation in Lingxiao Realm. Lu Cangsheng is no ordinary person. He's the only prodigy in Leixiao Sect in a thousand years to cultivate thirty-six Thunder Annihilation Formations in the Five Seas Realm. With mortal talent, he has caught up with the world's most outstanding prodigies."

Water Weasel Immortal had learned this information from the demons under him, thus realizing he had encountered not a Longevity Realm grandmaster from Leixiao Sect, but Lu Cangsheng. This led to their subsequent duel in the White Desert.

Li Weiyi really wanted to pin Water Weasel Immortal to the ground and beat him up.

Princess Dengfeng must already be suspicious.

Fu Wenyan sat back in his position to the lower right of Princess Dengfeng and said gracefully, "After Junior Brother Lu reached the Dao Seed Realm, he had already cultivated seventy-two Thunder Annihilation Formations. In Leixiao Sect, only Longevity Realm grandmasters possess such abilities."

Princess Dengfeng's voice was exceedingly pleasant as she narrated, "Leixiao Sect was once the master of Lingxiao Realm, and half of the East Sea was within its sphere of influence. Even after its decline, it still retains top-tier inheritances. May I ask, Young Master Lu, why have you sought refuge with my East Sea demon race?"

Li Weiyi had anticipated Princess Dengfeng's line of questioning and replied, "Two reasons. First, although this battle in Lingxiao Realm repelled foreign enemies and quelled the calamity of the Yin Corpse Rice Cultivation, we ourselves suffered heavy losses, and the future of the human race is truly uncertain."

"The Far West Ashlands and the Demon Kingdom will not give up easily."

"Although the Southeast Nether Realm has collapsed, the Northern Nether Realm is even more powerful."

"Now, strong individuals from the Dao Palace have arrived, intending to interfere. It can be foreseen that soon the thirty-one states of the Southeast Nether Realm, formerly Lord Lan's territory, might become the Dao Human Realm."

"Lingxiao Realm is surrounded by powerful enemies, as if on the edge of an abyss. Only the East Sea demon race has remained neutral. How can Leixiao Sect not make plans in advance and prepare a retreat?"

"Secondly, I, Lu, came for the Phoenix Blood Tree leaves and bark."

"Quite honest."

Princess Dengfeng's form was indistinct, as if it could be scattered by a gust of wind. She smiled brightly, "The Dao Palace is indeed a colossal entity, dominating the south of Yingzhou. Along with ancient sects like Due'er Monastery, it holds sway over hundreds of living realms. However, the Mist Heavenly Emperor of Lingxiao humans has returned. As long as she hasn't fallen, all parties will be wary. Furthermore, during the battle of Lingxiao City, Yu Yaozi never appeared, hidden within the shroud of night."

"The Mist Heavenly Emperor and she, one overt and one hidden, coexist in the world. Who would dare act rashly? So, you shouldn't worry too much."

A Zen Sea Mist Observer is not terrifying, but one who isn't afraid of death is.

Yu Yaozi is not terrifying, but Yu Yaozi hidden in an unknown place is.

Li Weiyi sighed inwardly and said sincerely, "Your Highness is truly the most sincere leader! You didn't use this opportunity to threaten or intimidate, but instead told the truth."

Princess Dengfeng said, "Because I've always understood one principle: true top-tier geniuses will never be content to be subservient. If you try to forcefully subdue them, you'll only create enemies for yourself."

"This princess only recruits outstanding talents who genuinely pledge allegiance. As for the rest, I can befriend them. If sincerity doesn't yield friends, but instead deception and exploitation, then I will eliminate them. Are you truly Lu Cangsheng of Leixiao Sect?"

The threat was palpable.

"Whoosh-boom!"

Li Weiyi formed hand seals and unleashed seventy-two Thunder Annihilation Formations.

Seventy-two clusters of electric light swirled around him, and his entire aura suddenly transformed.

Thunder arts are cultivation methods with extremely powerful offensive capabilities, greatly feared by all demons and evil spirits.

Fu Wenyan was moved. He carefully observed Li Weiyi at the center of the lightning, his heart filled with confusion. In an instant, he recalled many legends about him, such as "Purple Cloud Thunder Seal," "Seven Monarch-Tier Strange Insects," and "Seven-Clawed Celestial Dragon Dao Heart Manifestation."

Now, "seventy-two Thunder Annihilation Formations" were added to the list.

Fu Wenyan dared to assert that Li Weiyi's true secrets had surely not yet been uncovered, and he couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart.

The true disciples of Due'er Monastery of this generation would only be finalized upon reaching the Longevity Realm, with about ten individuals qualified to contend for the position. If he could seize Li Weiyi's opportunities, his chances of becoming a true disciple would greatly increase.

Li Weiyi retracted the seventy-two Thunder Annihilation Formations, then took out a Leixiao Sect disciple token.

He had obtained it outside the Thirty-six Thunder Mausoleums, from Qin Qian and her two companions.

After use, the token had to be hidden back in the Blood Mud Space.

Princess Dengfeng believed him for the most part. "Your Leixiao Sect's high-ranking members have long been in contact with my race," she stated. "If you serve under this princess and help conquer the old Yuzhou City, the Phoenix Blood Tree resources needed for Longevity Body cultivation will surely include a share for you. Everyone present will receive a share."

"Long live Your Highness, Princess! Transcendence is within reach!"

All the demons cheered in unison.

With Princess Dengfeng's cultivation foundation, she could break through to the Longevity Realm at any time, then transcend the mundane and roam freely through heaven and earth.

She hadn't broken through, merely wishing to accumulate a more profound foundation in the Dao Seed Realm. This would lay a solid foundation for eventually breaking free from the Longevity Lock within her body, allowing her to advance with unstoppable momentum once in the Longevity Realm.

Half an hour later.

Prince Baba, Water Weasel Immortal, and Li Weiyi left the meeting and headed west towards the lake camp.

Ghost fires flickered there.

Li Weiyi seized the opportunity to ask, "There must be Longevity Realm level spirits overseeing the old Yuzhou City. Isn't it too dangerous for the East Sea demon race to send only the younger generation to attack?"

"Longevity Realm has its own Longevity Realm duels," Prince Baba said, speaking little.

Water Weasel Immortal walked at the front, laughing loudly, "Lord Lan is dead, and Lord Chifeng died with regrets. All the ghost lords and marquises in the old Yuzhou City are in a state of distress. The highly respected grand figures of the East Sea demon race have already arranged to fight them outside the city, giving them a chance to battle opponents of the same realm."

"As long as they can defeat opponents of the same realm, they will live. Otherwise, when the city falls, they will all be slain and refined into soul pills."

Li Weiyi suddenly understood, "What a move, a pre-battle decisive strike. What a move, besieging the enemy while leaving an escape route."

"It can draw the Longevity Realm grandmasters among the deceased spirits out of the city in advance, creating an opportunity to train the younger generation. It also gives the enemy a chance to live, thereby instantly dismantling their will to fight to the death."

"This way, the East Sea demon race will pay a much smaller price."

The deceased spirit powerhouses almost all grew stronger by devouring. Their sense of responsibility was almost non-existent; they often scattered like monkeys when the tree fell. Self-interest and self-preservation came first for them.

West of the lake camp lay a hill of corpses and bones, permeated with a strong stench of decay. It was eerie and terrifying.

Within the hill, ghost fires flickered in clusters.

These corpses and bones were of high quality and great strength. Some were collected and piled here by the demon army along their way.

Others were excavated from secret locations, to be taken back to the East Sea after the battle and fed to special types of fish-like malevolent demons.

Princess Dengfeng had heard that Li Weiyi was proficient in puppet arts, which was why she had Prince Baba and Water Weasel Immortal bring him here.

Most of the corpses and bones here, when alive, were at the Dao Seed Realm level and had cultivated their physical bodies. Their bones had a slight golden sheen, indicating they were minor golden bones.

Li Weiyi chose a python skeleton over forty meters long.

The bones were golden-gray and extremely strong.

Its physical body had been cultivated to the strength of a four or five-part Longevity Body during its lifetime.

Li Weiyi stood before the python skull, which was larger than his own body. He channeled the spiritual light from his glabella, using his finger as a brush, and inscribed the character "Lin" on the bone.

"Whoosh—"

The spiritual light of his psychic power, centered on the character "Lin," rapidly spread throughout the entire skeleton.

The forty-meter-long python skeleton came to life, emitting bone-clicking sounds and eerie, low roars. The power within its bones was activated, and it coiled and flew up. With a thud, it swiped its tail, sending dozens of corpses and bones flying and shattering them.

Prince Baba had initially shown no interest in Li Weiyi's puppet arts, but was now startled, jumping to his feet as if electrified. "Lu Cangsheng, your puppet art is truly remarkable!" he exclaimed. "A single skeleton can unleash combat power comparable to a Dao Seed Realm martial cultivator. How many can you control at once?"

"I haven't tried controlling the maximum number," Li Weiyi replied.

Prince Baba said, "Then give it a try. You can use any of the corpses and bones here as you wish. Cousin, you've truly found a treasure this time!"

"Naturally."

Water Weasel Immortal puffed out his chest and said proudly.

"If there were Longevity Realm skeletons, their combat power would likely be even stronger," Li Weiyi thought to himself, constantly pondering how to find bone marrow golden essence.

Prince Baba said, "Longevity Realm level corpses are all precious treasures. We do have some, with Her Highness the Princess. During the battle for old Yuzhou City, my brother and I will help you get a few."

On a dark hill in the distance, Princess Dengfeng, like an intangible, insubstantial shadow, watched the location of the hill of corpses and bones.

Only when she saw the giant python skeleton fly up did her humanoid shadow dissipate.

In truth, Li Weiyi was not proficient in puppet arts.

He only knew one ancient character: "Lin."

Thus, for the next few days, he spent all his time in the hill of corpses and bones, simultaneously studying puppet art texts and refining puppets.

It was truly learning by doing.

Yu'er stayed by his side.

Li Weiyi felt a sense of crisis, realizing that the enemies surrounding Lingxiao Realm were probably all searching for her. Once her whereabouts were exposed, there was no telling what terrifying old monsters she might attract.

Originally, Li Weiyi had always considered Yu'er his greatest reliance, but now it seemed he had to protect and conceal her well until her memory and power were restored.

During these days, Li Weiyi taught her the moves of the Twelve Scattered Hands of the Chan Sect.

As long as she didn't cultivate psychic power or qi, she should be very safe.

"Dao fruits, or Yin Corpse Dao fruits, and blood crystals are important sources of power for refining bone puppets."

"There are over a dozen types of puppet script classifications, each encompassing myriad variations."

Li Weiyi did not use his own blood. Instead, he used the methods described in the puppet art texts and had the Two Yangs produce ink.

Afterward, he inscribed puppet scripts on one skeleton after another. He then used spiritual light flames to refine the scripts into the bones.

Among them, he focused on refining the Longevity Corpse stored in his spatial bag, to be ready for any contingency.

Besides her daily diary entry and martial arts practice, Yu'er learned by his side. Her desire for knowledge was strong, and she often sat alone in the bone piles, mimicking movements. With Li Weiyi by her side, she was not as afraid of the terrifying environment.

Li Weiyi couldn't find a reason to forbid her from learning. Anyway, she couldn't yet access the psychic power within the spiritual realm, so learning wouldn't be useful for now.

On the fourth day at the lake camp.

"Boom!"

"Rumble!"

Eighty li away, bright white light shone forth from the old Yuzhou City.

Deep, resonant roars and powerful fluctuations from magical artifacts startled all the demon creatures in the lake camp.

They released their demonic qi and soared into the air, converging towards a certain direction.

"Leaders of all East Sea tribes, immediately gather your experts and follow this princess to the old Yuzhou City. The decisive battle is today."

Princess Dengfeng's melodious voice spread for dozens of li around, clearly reaching everyone's ears, demonstrating a command over spiritual energy that Dao Seed Realm martial cultivators did not possess.

A quarter of an hour later, the earth ripped open, revealing a dark fissure several hundred meters long.

Princess Dengfeng's true body flew out from the abyss, transforming into a dazzling jellyfish cloud. She led seventeen powerful demon creatures, soaring on clouds and mists, forming eighteen bright clusters of light that vanished into the horizon in the direction of old Yuzhou City.

Each of those demon creatures was extraordinary. Some had bodies as large as mountains, like a whale-kun. Others were plant-like, such as several-hundred-meter-long seaweeds covered in dense scriptures.

Li Weiyi watched them intently as they departed.

Water Weasel Immortal and Prince Baba walked one after another, grumbling and cursing, as they approached the hill of corpses and bones where Li Weiyi was.

Water Weasel Immortal was full of resentment and anger, scolding Prince Baba, who was walking ahead, "What kind of damn sixth expert are you? You couldn't even get the main attack assignment! Everyone else went into the city to fight and turn everything upside down, but we're stuck sitting on the sidelines outside."